PHULBANI: In separate judgments of the 2008 Kandhamal riots cases, two fast track courts convicted 12 persons and acquitted 69 on Tuesday.
The fast track court no.1 judge acquitted five and convicted 12 persons out of 17 accused to five years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 on each for arson. In default of payment of fine, they would undergo another three months imprisonment.
The Fast Track court no.2 judge acquitted 64 persons of Srasananda village under Sadar police limits of the charges of setting fire in the local church.
Security alert at Jalespata: On the eve of Janmastami and second death anniversary of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati adequate security arrangements have been made in Jalespata Ashram at Tumudibandh.
One platoon of SPO and one section of IRB have been deployed and patrolling has been started to keep a chek on any untoward incidents.
Vehicles at different strategic points -- Balliguda-Tumudibandha, Balliguda-G.Udaygiri and Balliguda-Daringbadi roads are being checked. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Balliguda Sarthak Sarangi and Sub-Collector Balbir Singh are monitoring the situation.
The week-long chanting of ‘Bhagbat patha’ and the Kalas Yatra, which started on August 26, will end tomorrow.